Luther Prentice Bradley | |
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Col. Luther Prentice Bradley
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Born |
New Haven, Connecticut |
December 8, 1822
Died | March 13, 1910 Tacoma, Washington |
(aged 87)
Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1861–1865, 1866–1886 |
Rank | Brigadier general |
Commands held |
51st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment 13th Infantry Regiment |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Luther Prentice Bradley (December 8, 1822 – March 13, 1910) was an American soldier who served as a Union general officer during the American Civil War.
Bradley was born in New Haven, Connecticut on December 8, 1822. He held various commands in Connecticut militia, where he acquired basic military education. He served as a lieutenant in the Connecticut militia for a short time, but his mother opposed this because he was her only son. In 1855, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, and entered the book business. Also Bradley was a captain in the 1st Illinois Militia and later a lieutenant colonel of the "Chicago Legion".
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Bradley chose to follow the Union cause. At first his mother opposed this, but he wrote her a letter in which he told of his need to serve in the military for his country. He was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the 51st Illinois Infantry Regiment on November 6.
Under Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, he fought with his regiment at the capture of Island Number Ten in New Madrid, Missouri, and at the occupation of Nashville, Tennessee. On October 15, 1862, he was promoted to colonel, and then he participated in the Battle of Stones River that winter. He was severely wounded during the September 1863 Battle of Chickamauga where he commanded a brigade.
Bradley was then appointed a brigadier general in the Union Army, to rank from July 30, 1864. He participated in the Atlanta Campaign, during which he commanded a brigade in Newton's Division of IV Corps in the Army of the Cumberland. Bradley fought in Tennessee at the Battle of Spring Hill on November 28, 1864, and was once again wounded. His injury prevented him from leading his brigade during the Battle of Nashville that followed on December 15–16.